2. The opening title of Alien is used to set the mood and atmosphere for the audience, to keep them
captivated for the rest of the film. The title sequence is very simple nothing dramatic happens
visually. However there is a gradual showing of the title throughout. At the beginning of the titles the
frame is very empty and dark. Nothing is shown apart from the name. The darkness and emptiness
of the first frame could suggest that at the beginning of the film not much is given away, and then
gradually throughout the film more and more is given to you, so you can piece things together. This
is again shown within the opening titles as gradually the title is show through the progression of the
frames. The use of non diagetic sound which covers the titles creates an eerie atmosphere, which
adds to the mystery and subtlety of the rest of the movie. The non diagetic sounds also brings the
audience into the atmosphere of the film and sets the mood for the rest of the film. The opening
titles also connect to the genre of the film. The feeling of the unknown is a recurring theme within all
sci-fi films and is very predominant within this film. This is suggested from the gradual showing of the
title and the dark mysterious colours and music. Again the use of the aluminous blue colours
connotate the underlying theme of the supernatural within the film, this is also reinforced through
the title of the film ‘Aliens’.
